Singer Glen Campbell reveals he's battling Alzheimer's disease

A writer for The Indianapolis Star, in a review of a June 4 Glen Campbell concert in the Indiana city, wrote: “Facing a sold-out audience nestled in a world-class room, Campbell came across as unprepared at best and disoriented at worst. He mangled lyrics (despite unabashed use of video prompts on three onstage monitors), clanged countless off-key guitar notes and generated zero rapport with the crowd.”

FILE PHOTOSinger Glen Campbell, scheduled to perform July 15 at IP Casino and Spa in Biloxi, Miss., has revealed that he's suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

On Wednesday (June 22), that writer was having an aha! moment. Campbell, 75, in an exclusive interview with People magazine revealed that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder. Campbell’s wife, Kim, sat in on the interview.

“Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer,” Kim Campbell said. “But if he’s flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?’ ”

The couple said Campbell has suffered short-term memory loss “for years,” but the Alzheimer’s diagnosis only came six months ago.

“I still love making music,” Campbell said. “And I still love performing for my fans. I’d like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin.”

Meanwhile, Campbell is at work on a new album, “Ghost on the Canvas,” and has a new single out titled “A Better Place.” The single includes the foreboding lyrics, “I need the ones I love Lord/More and more each day.”

Working on the album with Campbell is producer Julian Raymond, who gave the singer a cool late-career boost and introduced him to a new generation of fans with the 2008 album “Meet Glen Campbell.” On that one, Campbell covered songs by such modern rock acts as Green Day, Velvet Underground and the Replacements.

Campbell’s classic hits include “Wichita Lineman,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Galveston” and “Southern Nights,” written by New Orleans-born Allen Toussaint. Campbell, a native of the small town of Delight, Ark., (pronounced DEE-light), also paid homage to his home state with "Arkansas (Land of Opportunity)." He also starred along with John Wayne in the original "True Grit" movie (1969).

But the song that many people will always remember Campbell for is 1975’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Watch the video below: